My toddler (when did he grow up!!!) is super active and very busy. Lately he has been requiring all of my attention to keep him occupied. I am really struggling to get anything done around the house. He becomes whiny and even destructive and deliberatly disobeident if he isn't entertained. He will play alone for very short periods of time, like ten minutes and that's it! He doesn't really want to help me do things or if he does he loses interest very shortly into it.
Any suggestions for indoor activities? It's gettting to the point where I am very worn out and can't even stay home for an entire day. He is just so much more content when we spend part of our day out somewhere...
I don't really know if this behavior is something that can be disciplined for unless there is direct difiance. He is a really sweet little boy and he thrives on structure...maybe I need to focus on some more structured times during the day? Does anyone else do that?
I'll take any advice! TIA

Hey Jill. Good to see you around . I'm sorry things have been difficult. Jack is at that age where he is really testing boundaries and limits. I find structure to be a really good thing. and I always made Abby take a nap otherwise she was more defient and disobedient.
Sometimes you have to just ignore them to get stuff done! ya know what i mean. hugs friend

Kids really do like structure. They find comfort and stability in structure. By all means, implement more structured play time with him. Sit down and draw with him. Do puzzles. Look at ABC cards. Fridge magnets. Count blocks, build castles.

Give him things he can do on his own too though. Say..he can do fridge magnets while you are in the kitchen washing dishes or preparing supper. That way you are close and still interacting, but at the same time, separate and he is learning to entertain himself.

Does he like cars? My almost 3 yr old adores cars and will play with them for.ev.er! Sure he has his moments where they don't hold his interest so well, but for the most part, you give the boy 2 cars and he's set heehee He has done this since he was old enough to push a car across the floor.

You are going to have to train him to play independently, if this is how he is and you have been playing to that behavior. Of course, I'm not saying you "must" teach this child to play by himself "right now" I'm just saying..if you want him to learn to play independently you will have to train him to do so. Take those 10 minutes that you are currently getting. That's a start. Use a timer. Just say 'I have to do such n such, you can play here next to me with X ... if you can help me by playing there and letting me do my chore for 10 minutes, then I will do a puzzle with you.' That sort of thing. Letting him know you have set the timer and it will *ding* when time is up. When he makes it, PRAISE and do as you said you would. Then gradually start increasing the time. You can also then experiment with having him out of your sight, just in the other room, that kind of thing.

It'll be ok, you'll get through this.

I often forget these kinds of days because for the most part, mine have been self-entertaining AND...they have plenty of siblings :p